Dayara Bugyal Trek 2024
Region: Uttarakhand
Base Camp: Raithal
Days: 4
Altitude: 12,100 ft
Grade: Easy
Distance: 22 km
Min Age: 5 Years
Meals: Included
Best Season: Nov to Feb
Trek Description
Dayara Bugyal is one of the popular trekking destination located in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The altitude of this beautiful location is 11,900 ft above sea level, which perfectly suits any trekkers, from beginner to expert. Most importantly, this trek offers you the best of the best natural richness with its densely forested areas, streams, and the Himalayas.
Starting from Dehradun, your first stop to begin the trek is Raithal. The standard trail from Raithal to and fro is around 20 kilometers long in distance. Also, the trail is well-maintained and properly marked so no worry of getting lost.
Raithal, also known as the ‘Goat Village’ serves as the base camp for Dayara Bugya trek. It is located 7,100 feet above sea level and is 183 Km from Dehradun. The trail stretches towards Gui and Dayara Top, from where you can have the grand views of the surroundings, including Garhwal Himalayan Range. Raithal is also an opportunity to explore the unique historical heritage of the region, including the ancient “Panch Pura” and traditional temples of Bhagwati Devi and Someshwar Devta.
During winters the whole Bugyal gets covered in snow which is the perfect time to travel for those who want to experience snow and snow trail. But extremely cold temperatures are to be kept in mind. If you are to enjoy the clear and beautiful views of the destination, we urge you to travel during the Spring, Autumn and Winter season.
The trail from Raithal to Chillapada goes through a dense forest of Rhododendron, Oaks, and Deodar. Dayara Bugyal starts from Chillapada and extends to Devkund.
Dayara Bugyal is a perfect spot to sightsee the snow covered peaks, such as Srikanth, Bandarpunch, Gangotri Peaks, Draupadi ka Danda, Jaonli, and Black Peak.
Being a beginner-friendly trek, Dayara is done by various age groups, from beginners to experienced trekkers. So why not set on this journey and enjoy the most of Uttarakhand’s natural beauty?
Itinerary
Drive Distance: 183 km
Drive Time: 7-8 hours
Altitude: 7,100 ft
On the first day of the Dayara Bugyal Trek, we will start our trek from Dehradun to Raithal early in the morning. The scenic drive takes us through the road alongside the Bhagirathi River. We will cross Landour and Uttarkashi as we drive.
After a few hours of driving, we will stop at Pahadi Dhaba and enjoy the Grahwali Thali. Moriana Top (Tingling Point) is also a major attraction on this route. We will have clear views of peaks like Bandarpunch, Black Peak, Srikanth and Gangotri Peaks are clearly visible from here. On clear days, you can even see Chaukhamba or Nanda Devi from here.
The drive then takes us towards Chinyalisaur from where we can have a clear view of Tehri Dam reservoir. And then, our journey towards Uttarkashi begins. In Uttarkashi, take time to visit Kashi Vishwanath temple and purchase any necessary items. Remember, this is the last town where you will have the ATM service, so it is recommended to withdraw the essential cash from here.
By the evening time, we will already be reaching Raithal. Tonight we will stay at Raithal enjoying a local meal.
Trek Distance: 5 km
Trek Time: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 9,756 ft
Altitude Gain: 2,656 ft
We will start our day with a warm breakfast and then prepare for the trek to Gui. Click the photo on the Dayara Bugyal entry point and start towards Gui. In between you will find Nag Devta temple, Water Point, and a tree dedicated to Naag Devta, where locals and trekkers stick their coins and offer several religious assets.
The 5 kilometer trek through lush green forests, which offers a close view of the local flora and fauna. The forest area gets beautiful and colorful during the Spring season. The rhododendron forests are in full bloom during spring offering trekkers a very relaxing journey.
The trail is well-maintained, so there will not be any issues in navigating. After a few hours of trekking, we will finally reach Gui, where we will rest overnight. Upon reaching Gui, enjoy the sunset over Srikanth and Gangotri Peaks.
Trek Distance: 12 km
Trek Time: 6-7 hours
Altitude: 11,900 ft
Altitude Gain & Loss: 2,144 ft
Today, we will begin our journey from Gui to Dayara Top. The trek spans approximately 12 kilometers (to and fro)
The trail stretches towards Dayara Bugyal after crossing Chilapada. The alpine meadows and the grasslands will welcome you with its beautiful surroundings, which will be very attractive to watch during the daytime.
After a last push, we will finally reach Dayara Top via a steep ascent. From the top, you will experience the 360 views of the peaks like Bandarpunch, Kala Naag, Srikanth, and Gangotri ranges. The whole Dayara Bugyal is visible from Dayara top.
Dayara looks different in every season. During spring, summer, and monsoon who bugyal gets covered with grass and wildflowers. Huge herds of Sheep will be seen during June end week and the whole monsoon. In Autumn bugyal gets orangish in color and during winter snow covers the whole landscape making it a perfect place for snow trekking, and skiing.
We will spend a few hours exploring Dayara Top and then return to Gui Campsite in the evening.
Descend: 5 km
Time: 3 hours
Altitude: 7,100 ft
Altitude Loss: 2,656 ft
Drive Distance: 183 km
Drive Time: 7-8 hours
Today, we will bid farewell to Gui and then return to Raithal. We will descend through the 5 kilometer trail at around 2 to 3 hours of descent.
We will retrace the trails through forest and then reach Raithal crossing the same path we traversed before. After reaching Raithal, rest a bit and we will then drive back to Dehradun, which takes around 6 to 7 hours.
Note | Return Journey: Plan your return journey after 9 PM. Sometimes due to traffic, we can get late, that’s why it’s advisable to have your return tickets booked after 9 PM
What’s Included?
Price Inclusion
- 1 Night stay in Raithal
- 2 Nights stay camping in a tent at Gui campsite
- Meals from day 1 dinner to day 4 breakfast
- All the required forest and camping permits
- Sleeping bag, mattress, tent, gaiters and spikes (if required)
- First aid kit
- Certified trek leader
Price Exclusion
- Travel Insurance
- Meals during the transportation
- 5% GST is not included
- Any expenses or items not mentioned in the inclusion section are not covered
- For backpack offloading additional fee of INR 1050 will be charged
- Any expenses arising from emergencies during the trek
- Transportation from Dehradun to the base camp and back to Dehradun
- Any personal expenses
Things to Carry
- 45-60 Ltr Bag Pack With Rain Cover & Comfortable Straps
- Hot & Cold Water Bottle Like Borosil & Milton
- Energy Bar, Dry Fruits & ORS
- Personal Medical Kit
- 2/3 Full Sleeves (Non-Cotton)
- 1 Full Fleece T-Shirt
- 1 Fleece Jacket (Woollen Or Sweater)
- 1 Down Feather/Hollofil Jacket
- 1 Waterproof Jacket/Poncho
- 1 Pair Thermal Inners (Upper And Lower)
- 2 Trek Pants (Avoid Shorts & Denim Pants)
- 1 Pair of Waterproof Gloves
- 1 Pair of Woollen Gloves
- Sun Cap
- Woollen Cap
- 4 Pairs Of Cotton Socks
- 1 Pair Of Woollen Socks
- 1 Pairs Of Sunglasses (U/V Protected)
- 1 Neck Gaiters (Buff)
- Tiffin Box
- 1 Waterproof & High Ankle Trekking Shoes
- 1 Pair Of Floaters
- Hand Sanitizer & Sunscreen Lotion
- Toothbrush And Toothpaste
- Toilet Paper And Wet Wipes
- Quick Dry Towel
- Lip Balm & Antibacterial Powder
- Moisturizer
How To Reach Raithal
Flight is the quickest and easiest means to reach Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakhand. Booking a flight to this destination is not a hard job, you can get a flight from most metro cities in India.
The nearest airport to Dayara Bugyal is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airpor which is located approximately 25 kilometers from the city center. Several flight operators like Air India, Akasa Air, Vistara, and others operate flights to Dehradun, which makes your transportation easy and comfortable.
It is recommended to book a flight at least a month before traveling since the last moment flight booking is comparatively higher than the standard price. Considering the cost, we recommend you to take flights to Delhi, capital of India first. From there, you can take UTC, HRTC, buses, railway or hire a taxi to reach Dehradun.
Dehradun is one of the major cities in India and it is well-connected to other cities by train. So traveling here via train is another easiest way.
Your train transportation is served by the Dehradun Railway Station, which brings you directly to the destination from your hometown. You also can opt for Haridwar Railway Station to reach Dehradun. It is advised to make advanced bookings for trains but there are no issues in getting the service from any places like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.
Road trip is one of the most exciting journeys to reach Dehradun and start the Dayara Bugyal Trek. It should not be any challenging matter since the city is connected with other major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh by National Highways.
It might be time consuming but the serene beauty of the Himalayan foothills will offer you a enjoyable experience.
Raithal is the point where we start our Dayara Bugyal Trek in Uttarakhand. It is approximately 183 kilometers away from Dehradun, which takes around 6 to 7 hours by public transportation. To reach Raithal you have to reach Uttarkashi first.
The bus to Uttarkashi leaves early in the morning around 5:30 am from Dehradun Hill station. You can also book your ticket online via the UTC portal. The average cost of the ticket is around 350 to 400 INR. Shared taxi option is also available.
If you are traveling via taxi, you will be charged around 400 to 500. You can hire a taxi from Rispana Pul and Parade Ground to Uttarkashi. Upon reaching Uttarkashi, you can rent another taxi to Raithal from Uttarkashi Taxi Stand. You must pay 100 to 150 INR to hire the taxi.
Note | Transportation Service: We also arrange transportation services for our trekkers, with the pickup point being Prince Chowk, Dehradun and pick-up time between 6 am and 7 am. An add on of INR 1,500 will be charged from trekkers.
How Difficult is Dayara Bugyal
Dayara Bugyal Trek in Uttarakhand is of easy grade when it comes to the different levels of trekking. It is considered as a beginner-friendly trek with its easy trails and access to transportation.
The highest point during this trek is at around 11,900 feet, covering a total distance of around 20 kilometers from Raithal to Raithal.
Considering the altitude of 11,900 ft meters above sea level, you need not worry about altitude related issues like Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema), or HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). So whether children below 15 years or senior citizens above 55 years old, Dayara Bugyal is one of the perfect destinations in India.
Talking about the trekking trail, they are well-maintained. Also, the landscapes are not too steep, making it accessible to all age groups with any form of physical capabilities. This trek is a fantastic choice for beginners looking to explore the natural beauty of the Himalayas without facing overly challenging terrain.
One of the most important things is that you will get to enjoy the beauty of nature with sightseeing opportunities of the Himalayas without even reaching over 4000 or 5000 meters above sea level. You don’t have to face the challenging terrain, treacherous landscapes, and hazardous weather patterns to enjoy the most during this trek.
Best Time to do Dayara Bugyal
The best times to visit Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakhand might be different for different trekkers. It all depends on trekkers’ expectations, priorities, and activities they are willing to do at the destination. But considering the weather conditions and climate patterns, Spring, Autumn and Winter are the best seasons to go for the Dayara Bugyal Trek. Here’s why:
Spring Season (Mid March – April):
Spring starts from Mid-March and lasts till the end of April in India. And it is considered one of the most stable seasons in India, making it an ideal timeframe to do this trek. Spring starts right after the end of the winter season, when the temperature gradually starts to rise.
The snow starts to melt and the greenery returns in the surroundings, allowing trekkers to have the serene beauty during the journey. The forest changes its leaves and wildflowers start to sprout, which gives the colorful vibes to the environment. If you are fond of photography and videography, Dayara Bugyal during the Spring season might be the top-destination for you.
The forested area in the Gui regions are covered with rhododendron petals, which is, of course, one of the major attractions of this trek. Similarly, the frozen streams start melting creating beautiful downstreams.
Considering the temperature, the average temperature in Dayara Bugyal ranges from 0 degrees celsius to 16 degrees Celsius. The sky is clear with fewer clouds, which offers a clear view of the Gangotri and Saraswati mountain ranges.
Summer Season (May – June):
Summers in Dayara start from the month of May and remain till June end. Temperature during this time ranges from 20 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius. All the snow gets melted by this time, the whole bugyal turns green and with that locals of Raithal move their sheep, goats, buffalos, and cows to Dayara Bugyal for grazing and the upcoming monsoon season. Due to forest fires and dust particles, views of mountain ranges are not properly visible in summer.
Autumn Season (September – Mid November):
Autumn Season, which starts from September till the mid-November is another great time to go for Dayara Bugyal Trek. The weather and climate patterns are almost the same as the Spring season, offering you the moderate temperature and clear environment.
After the end of the monsoon season, the environment becomes clean and crisp, allowing trekkers to have the perfect views of the surrounding landscapes. The lush green forests enriching the vegetation of oak, maple, and rhododendron trees are the contributing aspects of this destinations’ beauty.
By late November, Dayara’s landscape starts to turn brown due to a lack of moisture and dipping temperatures. So, trekking during the peak Autumn season is recommended if you are opting for the scenic beauty. The temperature in this season averages from 15 degrees Celsius to 1 degrees Celsius. In the meantime, the Garhwal Himalayas offer you a peaceful vibes due to clear surroundings.
Winter Season (Mid November – Mid March) :
Winter in Dayara Bugyal starts from November and ends in March mid. Temperature during winter ranges from 15 degrees Celsius to -5 degrees or below. The trails, streams and lakes start to freeze, so navigating to the destination might be challenging. During the months of November and January, some rain showers in between bring some snowfall but proper snowfall happens during mid-January and mid-March.
Being said, winter season stands as an ideal time to enjoy the surroundings, snow trail and frozen lakes. The Gui lakes get frozen and the Garhwal Himalayas feature thick snow layers, which are amazing to witness.
Off-Season Trek to Dayara Bugyal
Off season treks in Dayara Bugyal is done during the monsoon. However, the weather conditions do not align with the safety of the trekkers, that’s why not many trekkers opt for this option.
During monsoon, the temperature ranges from 17 degrees to 2 degrees. Whole dayara bugyal gets covered in grass and wildflowers, multiple water streams provide various water points along the trail. But the Garhwal Himalayas are not visible as they are covered in clouds and mist this season. If you want to enjoy the rich diversity of Flora, Fauna and Butter Holi Festival, then monsoon season can be considered. Just make sure to check for landslide and roadblock updates before starting your journey.
More Info about Dayara Bugyal
Dayara Bugyal is not only the destination for natural sightseeing and excitement but it is also a place which carries significant cultural and historical marks. Raithal, the starting point of this trek, is one of the places carrying traditional cultural experiences with Garhwali tradition. There are several temples dedicated to Hindu Goddess Bhagawati Devi, and Someshwar Devta. With deep-rooted spirituality of the region, these cultural landmarks also stand as the major attractions of the Dayara Bugyal trek. Similarly, other deities worshipped here are Naag Devta, Jeetu Bagdwal, and Kandar Devta.
In the meantime, this place is also rich in historical landmarks. You can visit a five story building, Panch Pura, which has a history of over 500 years. History mentions that Panch Pura was the residence of the legendary ‘BHAD Rana Gambhir Singh.’ This masterpiece is built up of massive rocks, wooden logs and based on Koti Banal architecture, which is an earthquake-resistant architectural style.
Apart from that, you can participate in the Butter Festival of Dayara Bugyal. It is also called Andhuri Utsav in the local language. This festival is celebrated every August, which features activities with milk products like butter and buttermilk. And surely with its unique significance, it has been able to attract thousands of tourists every year.
Dayara Bugyal is undoubtedly the home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, that makes this place very unique and vibrant.
Let’s explore them in detail:
Flora
Rhododendron Forest: If you travel during the Spring season, the vibrant colors of the rhododendron forest will attract you for sure. There are two types; classic red and pink rhododendrons found in this region. During your trek, you can not only enjoy the colorful environment of the blossoming flowers but also get Burans Juice in the village.
Ancient Oaks and Deodars: The trekking trail to this destination is not only dominated by colorful rhododendron trees but also with oaks and deodars. These trees in the lush forests stand tall to the sky and offer shade during the afternoon trek.
Grasslands: Trail to Dayara Bugyal is a mix of vegetation. There are lots of forest areas while the grasslands also come in the major attraction roles. The green meadows in the grasslands offer a perfect place for pastureland. Not only that, these grasslands are considered one of the major attractions of the tourists traveling to Dayara Bugyal.
Fauna
Monal: The Monal Bird is the state bird of Uttarakhand and it is one of the endangered species as well. It belongs to the pheasant family which comes in mixed color patterns that attract most human eyes.
Ibex and Forest Sheep: Forests of Dayara Bugyal are also a common habitat for ibex and forest sheep. The grasslands around the trail are the pasturelands for these wild animals. Encountering them during your trek will undoubtedly be a great experience.
Brown Bears and Leopards: Brown bears and leopards are another endangered animal species found in Dayara Bugyal of Uttarakhand. So it might not be a common thing to spot their presence during your trek. And most importantly, they avoid human activities and encroachment, so it is hard to spot them during this journey. But if you encounter them, do not disturb them.
- Harsil
- Nelong Valley
- Uttarkashi
- Nachiketa Tal
- Gangotri
Gallery
Maps
FAQs
The total distance during the Dayara Bugyal trek is approximately 20 kilometers, which starts from Raithal to Dayara Top and back.
Of course. Dayara Bugyal Trek in Uttarakhand is beginner-friendly. The difficulty level is moderately easy, making it suitable for those new to trekking.
Dayara Bugyal lies at 3,639 meters above sea level approximately 11,900 feet.
The temperature at Dayara Bugyal varies from one season to another. During summers, it can range from 20°C to 5°C, while in winters, it can drop to as low as -5°C.
Dayara Bugyal is located in Uttarakhand State in India. The starting point of this trek lies approximately 180 kilometers away from Dehradun.
Yes, Dayara Bugyal experiences snowfall during the winter months. It can both be exciting as well as challenging.
While altitude sickness might not be a real concern during Dayara Bugyal Trek, you must be very careful because safety is the first priority. Our destination lies at an altitude of approximately 11,900 feet above sea level. Altitude sickness is not prone at such altitude but you are advised to inform your trek leader if you face any symptoms.
Jolly Grant Airport, also known as Dehradun Airport, is the nearest airport to Dayara Bugyal. It is located approximately 25 kilometers from Dehradun.
Camping is the dream of many trekkers but you should be aware of the fact that camping is not permitted in the Bugyals (high-altitude meadows). This law is believed to be active to preserve their fragile ecosystem.
“Bugyal” is a term used in the Indian Himalayas to refer to high-altitude meadows or pasturelands. Dayara Bugyal is known for its lush bugyals.
Every campsite during this trek features dry pit toilets. You must carry your own toilet papers and hygiene essentials.
Uttarkashi is the nearest ATM spot you can find during this trek. If you are looking to withdraw cash from the bank, it is the last stop where you can do so.
Raithal, the starting point of Dayara Bugyal Trek, is also the last point for charging your gadgets. You must carry your own power banks or extra batteries. Trekking mostly comes with the activities like photography and videography, so it is advised to carry extra power banks and charge them in Raithal before you head towards Dayara Top.
5,999
/ Per Person
5% GST & + 1,500 INR Transportation Cost
Book NowAvailable Dates
March 23 and March 29
April 8 and April 13
May 4, May 11 and May 25
June 8 and June 15
Call for booking: +91 80896 93825 / +91 94565 46051
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